Stay & Play - Residential Home Intergenerational Initiative

Summary

The intergenerational play sessions at Tŷ Dewi Sant Residential Home were designed to promote social participation by creating regular opportunities for meaningful interaction between older residents and young children. Each week, during term time, the residential home hosts Stay and Play sessions, where babies, toddlers, and their parents join residents for music, play, and conversation. Central to the design was a focus on emotional wellbeing, dementia inclusion, and intergenerational connection, with the goal of reducing isolation and enhancing quality of life for older adults.This practice was co-developed by the residential home and the Vale Council’s Flying Start team, illustrating effective partnership within local authority services. The initial rollout in January 2025 followed a proposal from the home’s manager and was piloted over six weeks. Crucially, residents and families were pre-selected to ensure the environment was emotionally safe and supportive. This approach allowed Flying Start staff to prepare families, especially parents, for potential behaviours related to dementia and to foster an inclusive, respectful environment for all. The outcomes have been deeply positive. Older residents, including those living with dementia, show enhanced mood, social engagement, and motor skills. One previously withdrawn resident now actively participates, to the amazement of his family. Parents benefit from a welcoming space for connection, while children enjoy rich early social experiences. Music, especially singing nursery rhymes, has proven powerful for memory recall and joy, particularly for those with dementia. Key learnings include the value of careful participant matching, staff training, and clear communication with families about dementia.

Key facts

Main target group: Both younger and older people (i.e. intergenerational)

Sector(s): Housing, Information and communication, Long-term care, Social protection

Other sector(s): Dementia, Isolated

Desired outcome for older people:
Build and maintain relationships

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:

Ageism
Accessibility
Ageing in place
Dementia
Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
Inclusion
Participation

Contact details

Name: Sian Clemett-Davies

Email address: snclemett-davies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Local authorities

How collaboration worked: This age-friendly initiative was a low-cost, resource-based collaboration between Tŷ Dewi Sant Residential Home and the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Flying Start team. It required no external funding, relying instead on existing staff, space, and community relationships. Project management was shared informally, with the home’s manager and Flying Start staff coordinating session planning, participant selection, and communication. Strong collaboration and a shared commitment to wellbeing were key to its success.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: Older people played a central, active role in the practice, engaging directly with children through play, conversation, and music. Their participation was not passive, they contributed memories, affection, and emotional warmth, helping to shape the atmosphere of the sessions. For many, it reignited a sense of purpose, identity, and belonging within the community.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Was the impact positive or negative:
Positive

Please share with us what you found in detail:
The sessions have had a profound positive impact on residents, particularly those with dementia, who show improved mood, engagement, and communication. Many now eagerly anticipate Tuesdays, with some joining group activities for the first time. Music and play have sparked emotional memories, enabling residents to sing, reminisce, and reconnect with their past. Families report seeing their loved ones more animated and joyful, while staff describe a noticeable lift in morale across the home. The sessions have transformed Tŷ Dewi Sant into a vibrant, welcoming space, fostering intergenerational bonds and restoring a sense of purpose and belonging for older residents.

Feedback:
Feedback from residents, families and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents frequently express joy and anticipation for the weekly sessions, with many describing the children as “a highlight of the week.” Family members have noted emotional improvements in their loved ones, including increased communication, smiles, and moments of reminiscence, particularly among those living with dementia. One resident, typically disengaged from activities, surprised his family by joyfully recounting his experience. Staff have also shared that the sessions uplift morale and enhance the overall atmosphere in the home. No negative feedback has been reported to date, though ongoing reflection ensures the sessions remain inclusive and supportive.

Expansion plans:
Staff from other departments within the Council, as well as the Local Health Board and the local Dementia Café, have attended the sessions to learn more about the initiative. Their visits aimed to explore how this successful, low-cost model could be adapted and implemented within their own services and organisations.

Looking back

Reflections:
A key lesson has been the importance of having the right person to lead. The current Flying Start practitioner has been vital in engaging both young children and older residents, including those with dementia. As the current leader prepares to retire, the team is confident that the new staff member stepping in has the skills and passion needed to continue the sessions successfully.

Challenges:
There have been no significant challenges to date as the initiative has been well thought out with carefully selected partcipants recruited for the sessions.